JPS63161930A - Objective part operation apparatus of fiberscope - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention is characterized in that a flexible part that can be freely bent is formed in a connecting tube that connects an objective part and a grip, and an operating wire that engages with the tip end side of the flexible part is provided. The present invention relates to an objective section operating device for a fiberscope that bends a flexible section by pulling.

(Prior art and its problems) This type of objective part operating device pulls the operating wire by winding it up with a reel of a grip, but as a conventional reel drive mechanism, for example, the reel The reel is simply fixed to a rotating shaft with a handle, or the reel and rotating shaft are connected via a clutch.

However, when bending the objective section, the operation is often performed while looking at the object to be observed through the eyepiece section, so there is a risk that the wire may be stretched or damaged due to over-rotation. Additionally, if a clutch is provided, it is possible to prevent the objective part from moving inadvertently when the steering wheel is inadvertently rotated, but when normally operating the steering wheel, the clutch must first be engaged before the steering wheel is operated. It is a time-consuming operation.

(Purpose of the invention) By automatically engaging the clutch and rotating the reel simply by operating the handle, it is possible to simplify the operation and to reliably prevent damage to the wire, clutch mechanism, etc. due to over-rotation. It is to do so.

(Means for quickly achieving the object) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a wire take-up reel which rotatably supports a rotating shaft having a handle in a grip and is rotatably fitted to the rotating shaft. , a clutch ring that is movable in the axial direction with respect to the rotating shaft and fixed in the rotational direction, and a sleeve that is screwed onto the rotating shaft are arranged in order in the axial direction, and the clutch ring and the reel are arranged so that they can freely engage with each other. While forming dog teeth, the clutch ring is urged to a non-meshing position by the clutch spring, the sleeve is brought into contact with the clutch ring, the elastic ring is fitted into the outer peripheral groove of the sleeve, and the elastic ring is rotated to a predetermined degree. It presses against the inner peripheral wall of the grip so that it slides in the rotational direction when the torque is exceeded.
By rotating the rotary shaft in one direction, the sleeve is moved axially toward the ring and engaged with the dog teeth.

(Embodiment) FIG. 2 shows an overall side view of a fiberscope, in which a connecting tube 2 extending forward is connected to the grip 1, and an objective section 3 is provided at the front end of the connecting tube 2. An eyepiece section 5 is provided at the rear end of the grip 1. The front end portion of the connecting tube 2 is a flexible portion 2 of a certain length.
a is formed, and can be freely curved in the vertical direction as shown by the imaginary line.

In FIG. 3 showing an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the flexible portion 2a, a large number of knot rings 6 are arranged on the same axis at intervals in the front-back direction in the flexible portion 2a. Arc-shaped bearing recesses 7 are formed at both left and right ends of both the front and rear surfaces of the roller, and a horizontal roller shaft 8 is disposed between the recesses 7. All the rings 6 are connected in the axial direction by two left and right fastening wires 10 extending in the front-rear direction, and are rotatable in the vertical direction about each roller shaft 8 as a rotation fulcrum. Operation wire insertion holes 11.1 are provided at both upper and lower ends of each node ring 6.
1 are formed, each with an upper operating first wire 15
and the lower operating second wire 16 is inserted. The front head 15a, 16a of each operating wire 15.16 engages the frontmost node ring 6, and the rear end of the operating wire 15.16 extends rearwardly within the connecting tube 2.

Further, an image guide 18 and a light guide 19 are built into the connecting tube 2, and the front ends of both guides 18 and 19 extend into the objective part (objective hardware) 3 through the center hole of the node ring 6. Although not shown, an objective lens is disposed at the front edge of the image guide 18 in the objective section.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the grip 1, and in this FIG.
and a cover 26 that covers it. The image guide 18 passes through the grip 1 and extends into the eyepiece section 5, and an eyepiece lens 21 is arranged behind the image guide 18 so as to be seen through a viewing window 22 behind the eyepiece lens 21. Further, the light guide 19 passes through the adapter 24 and extends rearward and downward, and is connected to a light source.

Inside the grip body 25, operating devices such as first and second rotating wheels 28.29 and first and second reels 31.32 for pulling and operating the wire 15.16 are arranged. First,
The second rotating wheels 28 and 29 are rotatably supported in the grip main body 25 in a horizontal lateral (left-right) position sequentially from the rear side, and the first rotating shaft 28 on the rear side is connected to the second rotating shaft on the front side. It is located a little higher than 29. Wire winding cylinder 1
, the second reel 31.32 is connected to each rotating wheel 28.29, respectively.
is rotatably fitted to the rotating shafts 28 and 29.

On the other hand, the two operating wires 15 and 16 pass through the guide holes 35a and 35b of the guide body 35, respectively, and the first wire 15 and
is wound around the rear first reel 31, and the second wire 1
6 is wound around the second reel 32. Guide body 3
5 is fixed to the upper surface of the grip body 25.

In FIG. 5 showing the v-■ sectional view of FIG. 4, the right end portion of the first rotating shaft 28 protrudes rightward from the grip body 25
An operating handle 36 is fixed to its tip. Both rotating shafts 28 and 29 are rotatably supported by the grip body 25 via a pair of left and right bearings 40 and 41, respectively.

A transmission gear 44.45 is fixed to the right side of the right bearing 41 of each rotating ring 28.29, and both gears 44.4
5 are interlocking with each other. Between the left and right bearings 40.41 of each rotating ring 28.29, the first and second reels 31.32, first and second clutch rings 47.48, and first and second sleeves 50 are arranged in order from the right side. .51 is being placed.

In FIG. 1 showing an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view of the first rotating shaft 28, the first transmission gear 44 is fixed to the first rotating ring 28 with bolts (not shown), and the first sleeve 50 on the left side is The internal female threaded portion 50a is screwed into the male threaded portion 28a of the first rotating ring 28. The male threaded portion 28a and the female threaded portion 50a are left-handed threads, and the rotating shaft 28 is rotated counterclockwise (U1
direction) and is screwed into the first rotating ring 2.
8, the first sleeve 50 is moved to the right. The left end surface of the first sleeve 50 is in contact with the locking ring 55, and the right end surface is in contact with the left end surface of the first clutch ring 47. An annular groove 57 is formed on the outer periphery of the first sleeve 50, and an elastic O
A ring 58 is fitted. The radial outer circumferential portion of the O-ring 58 is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the grip body 25 with a constant pressure, and vibration force is generated, but when the frictional force can no longer resist the rotational force, it is pressed against the grip body 25. It is designed to slide in the circumferential direction.

The first clutch ring 47 has an axial groove 47 on its inner peripheral surface.
7. A guide bin 60 is fixed to the -5 first rotating ring 28 and protrudes in the radial direction. A groove 478 engages the guide pin 60 above. That is, the first clutch ring 47
is movable in the axial direction with respect to the first rotating shaft 28, but rotates integrally with the first rotating wheel 28.

A large number of dog teeth 61.6 are provided along the circumferential direction on opposing surfaces of the first clutch ring 47 and the first reel 31, respectively.
2 is formed, and both dog teeth 61 and 62 are capable of meshing with each other. Further, a clutch spring 64 is compressed between the first clutch ring 47 and the first reel 31, and the spring 64 urges the first clutch ring 47 to the left, thereby releasing both dog teeth 61 and 62. It remains engaged.

The dog teeth 61 and 62 have sloped relief surfaces that move to the right as they move toward the rotational direction U1, as shown by the imaginary lines in FIG.

The tip of the operating first wire 15 wound around the first reel 31 passes through the cut groove 67 of the first reel 31 and reels onto the first reel 31.
is inserted into the recess 68, and the wire head 15b is inserted into the recess 68.
is engaged in.

A first stopper ring 70 for regulating the maximum rotation range of the first reel 31 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the right bearing 41, and the stopper ring 70 is attached to the grip body 25 in the circumferential direction by a bolt 71. Adjustable and fixed position change.

To explain the structure of the stopper ring 70 in detail, the eighth
In the figure, the inner peripheral surface of the stopper ring 70 is approximately 1
A cutout stepped portion 72 having a circumferential length of 80 degrees is formed, and each circumferential end surface 70a170b of the stepped portion 72 serves as a stopper surface. A movable ring 75 is rotatably fitted on the inner peripheral surface of the stopper ring 70,
A protrusion 76 is formed on the movable ring 75.
6 is disposed within the stepped portion 72 of the stopper ring 70. In other words, the movable ring 75 is rotatable within a range of approximately 180 degrees from a position where its protrusion 76 abuts on one end surface 70a to a position where it abuts on the other end surface 70b.

On the other hand, a protrusion 77 is formed on the right end surface of the first reel 31, and the protrusion 77 is movable in the circumferential direction along the inner circumferential surface of the stopper ring 70 and is connected to the movable ring 75.
It can be freely engaged with the inner peripheral end side portion of the protrusion 76 .

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial view of the stopper ring 70, clearly showing the positional relationship of the step 72, the protrusion 76, and the protrusion 77.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the stopper ring 71, and the position of the reel protrusion 77 shown by the solid line is such that the reel 31 is at D1.
The movable ring 75 is shown in a state in which the movable ring 75 has been rotated to the maximum extent and is locked by one end surface 70a via the protrusion 76 of the movable ring 75. When the first reel 31 rotates in the U1 direction from the state shown by the solid line in FIG. While moving, it roughly rotates toward U1 until it reaches the position of the imaginary line, and the protrusion 76 of the movable ring 75 comes into contact with the other end surface 70b.
Rotation in the U1 direction is prevented.

That is, the first reel 31 is restricted to rotate within a maximum range of about one and a half rotations.

The second reel 32 for the second wire and the second rotating shaft 29 in FIG.
, the second sleeve 51 and the second clutch ring 48 have the same structure as the first reel 31 for the first wire, the first rotating ring 28, the first sleeve 50 and the first clutch ring 47 described above.

Further, the second reel 32 is also provided with a second stopper ring 59 similar to the first stopper ring 70 of the first reel 31.

However, as in this embodiment, each stopper ring 70
．． 59, the U1 of the first reel 31 is adjusted so that the maximum upward deflection of the flexible portion 2a (FIG. 2) is restricted by the stopper ring 70 for the first reel 31, for example.
D2 of the second reel 32 so as to restrict the maximum rotational position in the direction, and to restrict the maximum downward deflection of the flexible portion 2a (FIG. 2) with the stopper ring 59 for the second reel 32.
The maximum rotational position in the direction is regulated. That is, both stopper rings 70 and 59 share the regulating direction.

In FIG. 5, the first rotating ring 28 is provided with a locking mechanism 81 so that the rotation @28 can be locked at any rotational position, and the locking mechanism 81 includes a boss 83 having a locking lever 82 and a flange 85. and locking sleeve 8
It consists of 6.

In FIG. 6, the locking sleeve 86 is fitted onto the outer circumferential side of the rotating shaft 28 so as to be movable in the axial direction, and is provided with ring-shaped meshing teeth 86a at the left end, and a guide bevel 86b that protrudes in the radial direction. It is integrally equipped with. A radial pin 87 is protruded from the outer peripheral surface of the first transmission gear 44 and faces the meshing teeth 86a with a distance therebetween.

The 7 flange 85 is fixed to the grip cover 26 and fitted onto the outer circumferential side of the locking sleeve 86, and is provided with an axial elongated hole 90, into which the locking sleeve 86 is inserted.
A bottle 86b is inserted. A cam groove 91 inclined with respect to the axis is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the boss 83, and the cam groove 91 engages with the tip of the pin 86b of the locking sleeve 86. That is, the lever 82 moves the boss 83 to D.
By rotating in one direction, the cam action of the cam groove 91 pushes the bin 86b to the left, and as the bin 86b moves to the left in the elongated hole 90, the locking sleeve 86 moves to the left and engages. The tooth 86a meshes with the pin 87 and the transmission gear 4
Prevent rotation of 4.

(Function) When bending the flexible portion 2a of FIG. 2 upward, by rotating the handle 36 in the U1 direction, the upper first wire 15 of FIG. 3 is pulled and the lower second wire 16 is bent. Loosen it and curve the flexible part 2a upward.

To explain in detail, in FIG. 5, the handle 336 is
By rotating in one direction, the first rotating wheel 28 rotates in the U1 direction (left rotation), and the -5 second rotating shaft 29 rotates with the transmission gear 4.
4. Rotate in the U2 direction (clockwise rotation) through 45.

In FIG. 1, when the first rotating shaft 28 rotates in the U1 direction, the first sleeve 50 moves to the right by the screw feeding action. At this time, rotation of the sleeve 50 is prevented by the pressing action of the elastic O-ring 58. When the first sleeve 50 moves to the right, it pushes the first clutch ring 4
7 also moves to the right, and the dog teeth 61 and 62 engage to engage the clutch.

After that, the first reel 31 is moved to U1 along with the first rotating wheel 28.
direction, winds up the first wire 15, and pulls the first wire 15 backward. That is, the flexible portion 2a in FIG. 2 is curved upward.

On the other hand, since the second rotating shaft 29 in FIG. 5 rotates in the U2 direction opposite to the first rotating wheel 28, the clutch of the second reel 32 is maintained in a disengaged state.

Therefore, since the second reel 32 is rotatable with respect to the second rotating shaft 29, the second wire 16 is pulled forward by the upward bending of the flexible portion 2a in FIG.
Accordingly, the second reel 32 in FIG. 4 rotates in the U2 direction, and the second wire 16 loosens.

To maintain the desired curved state, rotate the locking lever 82 in the direction of arrow D1 in FIG.
The illustrated locking sleeve 86 is moved to the left to engage the meshing teeth 86a with the pin 87.

Further, when the curve is bent upward to the maximum setting state, the first stopper ring 70
The protrusion 76 of the movable ring 75 is in contact with the other end surface 70b of the movable ring 75, and the protrusion 7 of the first reel 31 is in contact with the protrusion 76.
7 abuts against each other, thereby preventing the first reel 31 from rotating in the U1 direction.

When the operator rotates the handle 36 in FIG. 5 in the U1 direction and the dog teeth 61 and 62 engage, the elastic O-ring 58 in FIG. 50 and begins to rotate in the U1 direction. This prevents the first sleeve 50 from moving too far to the right, and prevents the threaded portions 28a, 50 from over-rotating the handle 36.
Damage to a, damage to the dog teeth 61, 62, etc. are prevented.

To return the flexible portion 2a of FIG. 2 to its original linear state, the handle 36 is rotated in the D1 direction.

That is, in FIG. 4, the first rotating wheel 28 rotates in the D1 direction, and the second rotating wheel 29 rotates in the D2 direction, thereby disengaging the clutch on the first rotating shaft 28 and disengaging the clutch on the second rotating shaft side. enter, and therefore the second reel 32 is arrow D
It begins to rotate in two directions and winds up the second wire 16, the first wire 15 is loosened and pulled forward, and the flexible portion 2a in FIG. 2 returns to its straight state.

Further, when the handle 36 in FIG. 2 is rotated in the D1 direction,
The second wire 16 in FIG. 4 is further wound up, the first wire 15 is further loosened and pulled forward, and the flexible portion 2a curves downward as shown in FIG.

Further, when curving downward, when the predetermined maximum curving state is reached, the maximum rotational position of the second reel 32 in the D2 direction is regulated by the regular action of the stopper ring 59 on the second reel 32 side. Ru. Of course, in this case as well, the slippage of the O-ring 60 on the second rotating shaft side causes clutches, etc. due to over-rotation of the handle! IA scratches can be prevented.

(Other Embodiments) (1) Although the illustrated embodiment shows a structure in which the flexible portion is curved vertically, it can be similarly applied to a fiberscope having a structure in which the flexible portion is curved left and right.

(2) The illustrated embodiment has a structure in which two wires are used to bend the wire upward and downward; however, for example, one wire may be bent either upward or downward, and returned to a straight state by an appropriate return means such as a leaf spring. It can also be configured to return.

(3) Fig. 11 shows a modification of the stopper ring, in which the circumferential range of the notch step 72 is approximately 360 degrees, so that the movable ring 75 can rotate approximately 360 degrees. This is an example. According to the structure shown in FIG. 11, the maximum rotation regulation range of the reel can be set to nearly two rotations.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, the present invention rotatably supports the rotating shaft 28 having the handle 36 on the grip 1, and the rotating shaft 28
A wire take-up reel 31 is fitted to the rotating shaft 28 so as to be rotatable but not movable in the axial direction, and a clutch ring 47 is fixed to the rotating shaft 28 while being freely movable in the axial direction and fixed in the rotational direction. The sleeves 50 are arranged in sequence in the axial direction, and the dog It! can freely engage between the clutch ring 47 and the reel 31. 161 and 62 respectively, and a clutch spring 64 is compressed so that the clutch ring 47 is urged toward the non-meshing position side, and the sleeve 5
0 is brought into contact with the clutch ring 47, an elastic ring 58 is fitted into the outer circumferential groove 57 of the sleeve 50, and the elastic ring 58 is pressed against the inner circumferential wall of the grip body 25 so as to slide in the rotational direction with a predetermined rotational torque or more. This has the following advantages:

(1) By rotating the handle 36, the clutch is automatically engaged and the take-up reel 31 is rotated to take up the wire 15 and pull the flexible portion 2a of the connecting tube 2 to bend it. This eliminates the need to specially engage and disengage the clutch before operating the handle, making it easy to bend the objective section.

(2) Since the reel 31 is always maintained in the clutch disengaged state by the clutch spring 64, the wire 15 is in a loose state when the fiberscope is not in use. 15 will not be stretched or weakened.

(3) Since the over-rotation of the handle 36 is absorbed by the sliding movement of the elastic ring 58, it is possible to reliably prevent damage to the clutch mechanism such as dog teeth or damage to the reel etc. due to over-rotation of the handle.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view of an objective operating device to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is an overall side view of a fiberscope.
Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the front end of the fiberscope, Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the grip, Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line v--■ in Figure 4, and Figure 6 is the V1 section in Figure 5. 7 is a top view of the locking sleeve shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the rotation range regulating mechanism of the reel, and FIG. 9 is a detailed sectional view of the locking sleeve shown in FIG.
The figure is an enlarged partial view of part ■ in Figure 1, Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line XX in Figure 1, Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line XX of the stopper ring in Figure 8, and Figure 11 is a sectional view of the stopper ring. It is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modification of . DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Grip, 2...Connection tube, 2a...Flexible part, 3...Objective part, 5...
・Eyepiece, 15.16...Wire, 50.51...
Sleeve, 58.60...0 ring, 28.29...
・Rotating shaft, 31.32...Take-up reel patent applicant
Mitsubishi Cable Industries Co., Ltd. Figure 1, Figure 5, Figure 7, Figure 8

Claims (1)

[Claims] Objective part operating device for a fiberscope that forms a bendable flexible part in the connecting tube that connects the objective part and the grip, and bends the flexible part by pulling the operating wire that engages with the distal end side of the flexible part. A rotating shaft having a handle is rotatably supported in the grip, a wire take-up reel is rotatably fitted to the rotating shaft, and a clutch is movable in the axial direction with respect to the rotating shaft and fixed in the rotational direction. A ring and a sleeve that is screwed onto the rotating shaft are arranged in sequence in the axial direction, and dog teeth that can be freely engaged are formed between the clutch ring and the reel, and a clutch spring is used to move the clutch ring to a non-engaged position. The sleeve is pressed against the clutch ring, the elastic ring is fitted into the outer circumferential groove of the sleeve, and the elastic ring is pressed against the inner circumferential wall of the grip so that it slides in the rotational direction with a predetermined rotational torque or more, and the sleeve is rotated. An objective part operating device for a fiberscope, characterized in that the sleeve is moved axially toward the clutch ring by rotation of the shaft in one direction so as to engage the dog teeth.